RADHI Jaidi reckons he has finally proven his worth in England - after Blues' 'difficult' campaign in the Championship.

RADHI Jaidi reckons he has finally proven his worth in England - after Blues' 'difficult' campaign in the Championship.

Despite having played - and scored - in the World Cup finals and catching the eye as a robust defender for Bolton Wanderers in the top-flight, his experience this season has left him a more rounded footballer.

"It was completely different and very difficult," said the Tunisian stalwart. "But it was still a very good experience for me. I am still new in English football and I have only played in the Premiership.

"I was told that the Championship was a big league with good players. It was the basics of the English game. I felt I never tasted the 'real' English football in the Premiership, but in the Championship I did. It was typical of the mentality here.

"Now I have an experience of it, I am happy and I think maybe it can help me next season become a better player.

"Before, when I came to Bolton, sometimes I asked questions about the typical football here but I didn't understand the answers - now I understand."

Jaidi, whose goals from set-pieces were crucial to Blues promotion charge, added: "I am very happy that we are back up there. I feel proud of our promotion.

"When I was in the Premiership some people said 'maybe he doesn't deserve to play in this league'. I think I do and I have proven myself at that level, and in the Championship, which is very tough."

Jaidi, who will return to pre-season training a little later than his team-mates because of involvement in Tunisia's successful African Cup of Nations qualifiers, said he was confident of Blues' chances.

"With a little bit of thinking about how we go about things, with a little bit of concentration and hard work, I think we will do something good," he said.

"With this team, and with some more players, it is possible. Maybe players with experience of the Premiership, and those with a lot of quality who can make a difference in games, will help us.

"The last thing is to not do the wrong things that the club did previously, which ended in relegation."